Air National Guard FAQ

Q. What is the Air National Guard?
The Air National Guard is a separate reserve component of the United States Air Force, similar to the Air Force Reserves. They work part-time, one weekend a month and a few weeks a year, at a minimum, and have what is unique to the military in a dual role. While Reserve components have a federal mission under the direction of the President, the Air Guard has another role of supporting the states in times of need under the direction of the Governor. As a result, the Air Guard gets additional benefits offered by the state and affords its members both federal and state benefits.

Q. I’m prior service. How can I find out what the Air National Guard is all about?
The “Try One” program is available to prior service individuals who have never served in the Air Guard. It’s a great way to explore the Air Guard and decide if it’s a good fit for you. There are limitations on this program based on training and incentives. Ask your local recruiter for details.

Q. How is the Air Guard “part-time”?
The Air National Guard is considered part-time since they serve one weekend a month and a few weeks out of the year, at a minimum. While that is the traditional role of the Air Guard, you may also be called to duty in times of need within your state or activated for a deployment.

Q. What jobs are available in the Air Guard?
Read more about specific careers in the Air National Guard. The Careers page will provide you with in-depth job descriptions. Contact a recruiter to find out what jobs are available in your area and learn how to qualify for them.

Q. What does “AFSC” mean?
AFSC stands for Air Force Specialty Code and is the unique identifier for all career fields in the Air Force. This is similar to the Military Occupational Standards (MOS) codes used by other services.

Q. What are MAGE scores?
MAGE scores are used on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to compute aptitude across four areas: Mechanical, Administrative, General and Electronics.

Q. How do I make rank and get promotions?
Your promotions will be determined by time in grade (how long you’ve had your current rank), time in service (how long you’ve been in the military), and any Professional Military Education requirements. There is no formal military testing program required for promotions in the Air National Guard.

Q. Can I go active duty if I’m already in the Air National Guard?
Yes, members of the Air National Guard that apply for and are accepted into any active duty component will be released from their commitment with us once they join that branch.

Q. How can I get more information about the Air Guard?
Click to request more information and a recruiter from your local area will contact you soon.

Q. Will I be able go on Air Force or other military bases and use their facilities?
Yes, as a member of the Air Guard, you have all the same on-base privileges as active duty military and can enter these locations at any time. You’ll have access to a wide array of inexpensive or free resources, including use of the Commissary (grocery store), Base Exchange (department store), sport facilities, gyms, and other entertainment facilities.

Q. Can I fly for free on military aircraft for personal trips?
Yes, Air Guard personnel have the opportunity to fly aboard military aircraft when there is space available, totally free. It’s called Space-A Travel and it’s a benefit available to all Air Guard members.

Q. Does the Air National Guard offer life insurance?
Yes, you can get up to $400,000 of low-cost life insurance in the Air National Guard. There is a wide variety of other insurance benefits available as well.

Q. Can I get Basic Allowance for Housing?Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is typically for those serving on active duty, annual training periods, or times when a person is placed on orders for more than 30 days.

Q. How long do I need to be in the Air Guard to be eligible for military retirement?
Members of the Air National Guard must complete 20 years of satisfactory military service to become eligible for military retirement. This time can be any combination from Active, Guard or Reserve service. If you’ve served on active duty in any branch, you can transition easily to the Air Guard without losing any of your retirement time and continue right where you left off earning points toward retirement.

Q. What is the Thrift Savings Plan?
The Thrift Savings Plan is a defined contribution plan similar to an IRA or 401(k) retirement savings plan. Air Guard members have the ability to contribute a portion of their pay to this account. Visit http://www.tsp.gov/ for more information about the Thrift Savings Plan.

Q. What is Foreign Language Proficiency Pay?
Foreign Language Proficiency Pay is an incentive pay designed to increase skills in foreign languages deemed critical to various missions’ needs. It is oftentimes associated with the career field a person is assigned.

Q. Can I get an enlistment bonus? How much?
Incentives, such as bonuses, are determined by career fields and needs of the local units. These programs may not be the same in each unit so it is always best to check with your recruiter to see if the career you’re interested in offers any incentives.

Q. How much money will I earn working one weekend per month?
Your pay is determined by your rank and time in service. Air Guard members are paid for four active duty days for working two actual days each month. You can check out the pay calculator on our website or ask your recruiter for current pay scale information.

Q. Will I get paid while I complete Basic Training and technical schools?
Yes, you will get active duty pay during Basic Military Training and technical school. The pay that you receive will be determined by your rank.

Q. Can the Air Guard help me pay for college?
Yes, Air Guard members can take advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill, which pays a monthly stipend of up to $362 per month toward college tuition and expenses. If you qualify, you can also receive the GI Bill Kicker, which could provide you with an additional $350 per month. Some states even offer up to 100% tuition assistance! Make sure you ask your recruiter for more information on tuition assistance for college.

Q. Will I get a bonus or student loan repayment benefits by joining the Air Guard?
Incentives, such as bonuses, are determined by career fields and needs of the local units. These programs may not be the same in each unit so it is always best to check with your recruiter to see if the career you’re interested in offers any incentives.

Q. Can the Air Guard help me earn college credit?
Yes, you earn college credits for Basic Military Training, in-residence technical training, and even correspondence courses you take. You can even earn a two-year associate degree in your occupation when you combine your civilian general education courses with those you receive in the military through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF).

Q. Does the Air Guard offer any educational benefits for health professionals?
Yes, there are several programs to assist health professionals interested in joining the Air Guard, including the Student Loan Repayment Program, a stipend program, and the Montgomery GI Bill. You may also earn Continuing Medical Education for training courses offered by the Air Guard. Make sure you ask about these programs when speaking to the local recruiters to see what you may be entitled to.

Q. If I am a medical professional, will I be eligible for the Medical Officer Student Loan Repayment Program?
The eligibility for receiving the Medical Officer Student Loan Repayment Program is determined by the local unit. The career fields that receive these incentives are based on unit needs and may not be the same in each unit. The recruiter maintains a list of eligible careers and would be best qualified to explain what careers offer these incentives at their location.

Q. Do I choose my job when I join or is a career assigned to me?
There are a few factors that determine what job you’ll have in the Air Guard, but ultimately you decide what your career will be. Your recruiter can help you find the right career using the results of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and a medical screening (physical) exam. They may discuss what your interests, hobbies, and future plans are in order to help guide you in selecting a career that’s right for you.

Q. How can I make sure I get the job that I want?
Job availability depends on the needs of the unit you’re looking to join. Your recruiter can help you find the right career using the results of the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and a medical screening (physical) exam. They may discuss what your interests, hobbies, and future plans are in order to help guide you in selecting a career that’s right for you.

Q. Do I need any additional training for my job specialty?
Depending on your qualifications, you may require additional training. They’ll give you all the tools you need to start your new career in the Air Guard. You’ll have the opportunity to gain new skills and get hands-on experience at a technical school before you are expected to perform at your unit. And if you’re already qualified, they can get you started right away using your experience to assist us in performing our missions.

Q. Can I cross train for a new job or do I have to stay in my previous career?
As a prior service enlistee, you may have the opportunity to cross train based on the needs of the local unit. You can stay in the same career field if it is available.

Q. If I cross train for a new career, will I need to attend Technical School?
In most cases, you’ll need to attend the technical school associated with your new career field. However, depending on your qualifications and skills, you may be able to bypass technical training and begin working in the new job immediately. Check with the local recruiter to discuss if this option is available to you.

Q. What careers/jobs are most likely to be deployed?
Anyone in the Air Guard may get deployed at any time during a war or homeland emergency. Unfortunately, no one can predict what future needs will be. Your unique skills and training may be needed at any time, regardless of the career you choose.

Q. What does it take to become a pilot in the Air Guard?
In order to become a pilot in the Air Guard, you must be a U.S. citizen with a four-year college degree, pass the stringent flight physical exam, and be under 30 years of age prior to entering Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.

Q. I speak a foreign language. Can I join as a Linguist?
It is possible to join the Guard as a linguist, but you should be aware that not all Air Guard locations have those positions. Additionally, the positions can vary based on the language, so it is always best to check with your local recruiter and see what opportunities may be available.

Q. What do health professionals do in the Air National Guard?
As a health professional, you will be responsible for the well-being of your unit members and conduct medical screenings and physicals on a routine basis. You will also be working in your area of expertise when performing annual training or in the event that you are activated or deployed. Some units also have adopted homeland defense missions where you could be part of a team to assist when called upon.

Q. What is the age requirement for health professionals in the Air National Guard?
Health professionals must be commissioned prior to their 47th birthday. Exceptions to this age requirement may be granted for physicians.

Q. How do I become a nurse in the Air National Guard?
To be a nurse in the Air National Guard, you must have either a bachelor’s or an associate’s degree in nursing from a National League of Nursing (NLN) accredited program. If you hold an associate’s degree, you must agree to obtain your bachelor’s degree in nursing before obtaining the rank of Captain.

Q. Are there special programs for medical students?
The Air National Guard makes every attempt to provide special programs to increase participation in needed skills and careers. Ask your local recruiter what benefits and programs are currently available.

Q. What are the requirements to join the Air Guard as a chaplain?
Chaplain applicants for initial appointment must have a master’s degree in theology and be less than 40 years old or less than 42 years old with at least 2 years of prior service at time of commissioning. You must be an ordained minister with an ecclesiastical endorsement from a recognized religious denomination.

Q. Is there a chaplain training program?
No, you must already be an ordained minister in order to join the Air Guard as a chaplain.

Q. What is the Honor Guard?
The mission of the Honor Guard is to represent the Armed Forces to the American public and the world. Serving in the Air Guard Honor Guard is a special duty that demands a high standard of moral fortitude, loyalty and sense of patriotism. The Honor Guard is often seen presenting the American flag at official ceremonies.

Q. What are the steps of the Air Guard enlistment process?
You begin the process by meeting with your recruiter who will schedule you for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test and a physical (medical screening). These tests determine what jobs you qualify for. Next, you’ll choose a career that best matches your qualifications based on what’s available at your location. Finally, you and your recruiter will schedule a date for enlistment.

Q. What are the basic requirements to join the Air National Guard?
You must be between the ages of 17 and 39, be a legal resident, and have a high school diploma or equivalency unless you are still in school, then you must be a high school senior. You must pass the entrance exam, medical screening, and a background check. The age limitation varies if you have prior military experience, are a medical professional, or chaplain. Please speak with the local recruiter and they can provide you more information.

Q. What requirements are there after I join the Air Guard?
After you join, you will be scheduled for Basic Training (for non-prior service) and technical school to learn the skills for the job you selected. Upon returning home, there may be additional training required. Otherwise, you will begin serving one weekend a month and 15 days of annual training each year. Additionally, there is always the potential to be called to duty in times of need within your state or activated for a deployment.

Q. What are the age requirements for new recruits with no military experience?
If you have no prior military experience, you must be between the ages of 17 and 39 years old to join the Air Guard. Chaplains and health professionals have higher age limitations.

Q. What educational requirements are there for joining the Air Guard?
You must be a high school senior or have a high school diploma or equivalency at a minimum.

Q. I am 17 years old, and I am home schooled. What do I need to join?
If you are still in school, you need a letter of intent that shows you will graduate on a specific date, regardless of the type of school. If you have already graduated, you will need a high school diploma certified by the state or a GED.

Q. What rank will I be when I join the Air National Guard?
All newly enlisted recruits start as an Airman Basic (E-1), however, the Air Guard offers many programs where you can achieve a higher rank upon enlistment. Certain career fields, personal experience, and/or achievements may make you eligible for advanced rank. Make sure you discuss these options with your local recruiter.

Q. What is the minimum ASVAB test score required to join?
You must have at least a 31 on the overall percentage (QT) of the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test to qualify for enlistment in the Air National Guard.

Q. I failed the ASVAB. How long do I have to wait to re-take it?
If you fail the ASVAB test, you can retake the test after 30 days. After the second attempt, you must wait 6 months to retake the test.

Q. Do you have to be a U.S. Citizen to join the Air Guard?
To join the Air Guard, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident with a green card that does not expire within two years from the date you join. Due to the unique nature of some of our missions, some units may require you to be a U.S. citizen in order to join.

Q. Do I have to pass a credit check?
Yes, the Air National Guard recruiter will process your name through a credit checking agency as part of your overall background check.

Q. Can I join the Air Guard if I have law violations or criminal convictions?
It may be possible for you to join the Air Guard, even if you have made mistakes in the past. Your recruiter will evaluate your law violations to make a determination if you are eligible to join or not. Unfortunately, in most cases, if you have been convicted of a felony, you are considered ineligible to join. If you’re interested, give them a call at 1-800-TO-GO-ANG (864-6264) and they can ask you a few questions to determine if you are eligible to be put in touch with your local recruiter.

Q. What will my commitment be if I have never served in the military?
The time commitment for a person who has never served in the military is six years. During this commitment, you will attend Basic Training and technical training full-time and spend the remaining part of your enlistment working part-time, one weekend a month and two weeks a year, at a minimum.

Q. Could I lose my full-time civilian job while serving in the Air National Guard?
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA) ensures that those who serve in the United States military can retain their civilian employment. This allows you to serve part-time, working one weekend per month and a few weeks a year while you can still pursue and maintain a full-time career.

Q. What are the age requirements for recruits with prior military experience?
New enlistees with prior military experience must be able to complete 20 good years for retirement prior to age 60. If you are a doctor, nurse, or chaplain, however, the age limitations are different. Ask your recruiter for more information if this applies to you.

Q. I am prior service and have tattoos where new recruits can’t. Can I join?
No, you must meet the same standards as new recruits in regards to tattoos and other body art.

Q. How long is the commitment for someone with prior service?
Prior service applicants can be offered a variety of enlistment options, ranging from one to six years depending on required training and incentives.

Q. Will I have to repeat Basic Training/boot camp?
No, once you’ve successfully completed Basic Training or boot camp for any branch of the U.S. military, there’s no need to repeat it.

Q. I’m deployed with the Air Force. When can I join the Air Guard?
Since you are deployed, the best time to start looking and exploring options is when you’re within 45 days of returning to your home duty station. When you’re at or close to that window, please contact the ANG via CHAT/CC or call the ANG at 1-800-TO-GO-ANG (864-6264). They can even place you on a wait-list and reach out to you the closer you get, if you desire.

Q. Can I choose where I am stationed or is that assigned to me?
In most circumstances, you will apply, enlist, and serve at the Air Guard location closest to your home. You may choose a location farther away from you as long as you live within that location’s reasonable commuting distance restriction. Check with the recruiter at the location you desire to join to make sure you are eligible.

Q. Can I live in one state and join an Air Guard unit in another?
Yes, it’s possible to join an Air Guard unit across state lines. You will want to contact the recruiter for the location you’re looking to join, as there may be limitations based on commuting distance.

Q. What if I move out of state? Can I transfer to a different unit?
Yes, if your civilian life takes you out of state, you can easily transfer to a different location. Your local recruiting office will connect you with a recruiter in the state in which you plan to reside.

Q. Can I join the Air Guard overseas?
The Air Guard maintains units in the United States and its territories. If you live overseas in one of the U.S. territories that has an Air National Guard location, you may join. Unfortunately, residing outside of those locations renders a person ineligible to join.

Q. What is Basic Training like?
Click here for information about Basic Military Training.

Q. What do I need to bring to Basic Training?
Your local recruiter will be able to provide you with the most up-to-date list of things you’ll need for Basic Training. Most of your clothing and other needs are provided for you and, typically, enlistees need to bring only a few items. It is strongly encouraged that you leave valuables, including jewelry, at home while you are in Basic Training.

Q. When will I leave for training?
After you join, your recruiter will schedule your training times. Your departure date will depend on the availability at Basic Military Training (boot camp) and when classes start for your technical training.

Q. How long will I be away for training?
Air National Guard recruits attend Basic Military Training, as well as the technical school for their chosen career, alongside active duty Air Force enlistees. Basic Training is about 8 1/2 weeks long and technical schools range from 6 to 52 weeks, depending on your career. The average time away is about 18 to 20 weeks. Ask your recruiter about training time for specific careers.

Q. Do I have to cut my hair for Basic Training?
Males will have their heads shaved at Basic Training. Females will not have to cut their hair, but they will be required to pin it up to meet Air Force Standards.

Q. Will I get paid while I complete Basic Training and technical schools?
Yes, you will get active duty pay during Basic Military Training and technical school. The pay that you receive will be determined by your rank.

Q. What is the minimum ASVAB test score required to join?
Depending on your qualification, you may require additional training. They’ll give you all the tools you need to start your new career in the Air Guard. You’ll have the opportunity to gain new skills and get hands-on experience at a technical school before you are expected to perform at your unit. And if you’re already qualified, they can get you started right away using your experience to assist us in performing our missions.

Q. What is the likelihood I will get activated and be deployed?
It’s impossible to predict whether a crisis will occur at some point in the future. If it does, there is always the possibility you will be needed on deployment. The Air Guard is there to support the needs of the Air Force on an as-needed basis. Every effort is made to use volunteers first, but you may be tasked to deploy when volunteers are not available to meet the mission’s requirements.

Q. What careers/jobs are most likely to be deployed?
Anyone in the Air Guard may get deployed at any time during a war or homeland emergency. Unfortunately, no one can predict what future needs will be. Your unique skills and training may be needed at any time, regardless of the career you choose.

Q. Can I be deployed while still in college?
The Air Guard always tries to fill all deployment packages with volunteers. However, if the skills you possess are still needed for the mission, it is possible you could be deployed.

Q. What happens in the event of war? What if there’s a state or national emergency?
As a member of the Air National Guard, you are trained to respond immediately when disaster strikes. There is always the possibility of being activated during a time of crisis to protect the citizens and interests of the United States. Either the governor of your state or the President of the United States can call you to active duty in times of a state emergency or national conflict.

Q. Could I be pulled out of medical school during a time of national emergency?
No. Federal law stipulates that you can not be called out of medical school in response to a national crisis.

Comments

SEPTEMBER 13, 2019 – The Army Public Health Center issued a Public Health Alert Sept. 10 warning Soldiers and Family Members who do not currently use tobacco products to avoid all e-cigarette and vaping products, particularly those sold off the street or modified to add any substances not intended by the manufacturer. The warning follows […]

FEBRUARY 6, 2019 – Traveling about half the time of the year as a recruiter, Staff Sgt. Jon McCoy heavily relies on his wife to take care of their toddler and home. “The whole reason why I’m here is the support that my wife is able to provide,” he said Monday afternoon before a ceremony […]

SEPTEMBER 11, 2019 – Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer on Sept. 10 announced John R. Kroger as the Department of the Navy’s first-ever chief learning officer (CLO), who will lead and unify all Navy and Marine Corps formal education programs. Kroger comes to the Department from Harvard University, where he served as a […]

JULY 31, 2019 – The John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19 NDAA) brought about many changes for the DoD Transition Assistance Program (TAP). One of the changes adds a new section to Chapter 58 of Title 10 USC; Section 1155, Statement of Benefits. This addition requires the military services […]

SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 – As personnel in Navy Region Southeast return after Hurricane Dorian, the command offers details on reimbursement of expenses for those who were evacuated as authorized by Rear Adm. Gary Mayes, commander of Navy Region Southeast. Per Diem – the money authorized to cover lodging, food, and incidentals – is authorized to […]